American Airlines Partners with Safran for Lighter Carbon Brakes for Boeing 737NG Fleet

American Airlines has partnered with Safran to upgrade their 300+ strong Boeing 737NG fleet from steel to lighter, more efficient carbon brakes. The upgrade represents a weight saving of up to 700 pounds per aircraft, reducing fuel use and carbon emissions.

American Airlines Boeing 737NG - Courtesy American Airlines

On Tuesday (December 13, 2022), Safran announced that they have partnered with American Airlines to upgrade the brakes on their fleet of over 300 Boeing 737NGs from steel to carbon brakes. The lighter, more efficient brakes will result in a weight savings of up to 700 pounds (320 kg) of weight savings per aircraft. The change is part of American’s comprehensive sustainability commitments, and is expected to reduce GHG emissions by 77 tons per aircraft annually. Safran Landing Systems' carbon brakes offer more energy absorption and twice the endurance of the conventional steel configuration, and are compatible with both the Boeing 737NG and 737 MAX Families.

In Tuesday’s announcement, American Airlines’ SVP – Technical Operations, Kevin Brickner, said,

“Ensuring our existing fleet — the youngest among U.S. network carriers — is operating as efficiently as possible is critical to reaching our climate goals. Reducing our flight weight with a superior braking product is a win-win for our operation.”

Also commenting on the 737NG Brake upgrades, Safran Landing System’s CEO, Cédric Goubet, said,

“We are honored to begin this partnership on wheels and brakes with American Airlines, one of the largest airlines in the world. This partnership recognizes the excellence of our equipment, the high level of expertise of our teams as well as our Research & Technology efforts to reduce the impact of air transport on the environment. This collaboration is a great opportunity for Safran Landing Systems to increase its presence in the U.S. market and expand the growing activity of its Walton site.”

From left to right: Simon Gavillet (VP Sales, Marketing & Commercial Support Wheels & Brakes Division - Safran Landing Systems), Luc Philippe (Sales and Marketing Director - Safran Landing Systems), Kris Sorge (Manager, Strategic Sourcing and Contracts, Technical Operations - American Airlines), Mike Hanson (Director, Supplier Management - American Airlines), Cédric Goubet (CEO - Safran Landing Systems), Kevin Brickner (Senior VP, Technical Operations - American Airlines), Craig Harry (Managing Director, Technical Operations Supply Chain - American Airlines), Mark Miner (VP, Technical Services - American Airlines), Nicolas Potier (EVP, Wheels & Brakes Division - Safran Landing Systems), David Ternisien (Programs Director, Wheels & Brakes Division - Safran Landing Systems) – Courtesy Safran

Safran Landing Systems will manufacture the wheels and carbon brakes in their state-of-the-art production facility in Walton, Kentucky (USA), which has over 350 highly-skilled team members. American Airlines’ world-class Technical Operations MRO team in Tulsa, Oklahoma will complete the brake upgrades.

Source: Safran